"No matter what happens in the kitchen, never apologize" - Julia Child

September 25, 2011

Post-Race Brunch: The Heights

I am not a morning person. Not at all. If I'm going to wake up before 8 am there had better be a good reason like "if you don't get up and go to work, eventually you will be fired" or "if you don't get up and go to the airport, you will miss your flight to Miami" or "if you get up now you can have peanut butter, run 5 miles, and then have brunch."

Pre-race fuel.

We found a stowaway in MG's gym bag.

Sadly, he wasn't registered, so we had to leave him at home.

This morning involved the last. MG and several of our friends and I ran the Navy 5 Miler around the Pentagon. It was my first race of the fall season (I have 4 more to go), and it was great! For the first time, I really felt ready for a race. I've run a few races now, and generally I feel like I *can* do it, but not that I'm necessarily as prepared as I could/should be. But this was probably the first race I've ever run where I felt like I was truly ready.

He loves it when I force him to pose for pictures at 6:15 a.m.

Despite some threat of rain in the forecast, the weather held, and although the humidity was less than desirable, overall we had good weather. I was really proud of how well the race went for me. I achieved my goal and ran a PR, and felt good throughout the race, despite not being very good at operating my watch or keeping an eye out for mile markers.

Afterwards we came back, took showers (and had a much needed cup of coffee) and then headed out to a restaurant in our neighborhood for brunch. Despite being a stone's throw away, I'd still never been to the Heights, so we decided that we'd take advantage of the weather and enjoy our breakfasts and beverages on their patio.

I treated myself to a Bloody Mary (my favorite drink, and not just because it comes with olives to snack on) and MG had a Bell's beer (I can't remember what kind).

Celebrating one race down!

For brunch I ordered the spinach, tomato and zucchini benedict, which came with an awesome spicy tomato sauce (I do not like Hollandaise).

One of the better Benedicts I've had, and I do consider myself a connoisseur.

MG ordered the huevos motulenos, which was an awesome combination of black beans, chicken, plantains and avocado, with two eggs any style on top. Although my dish was really delicious, after I had a bite of MG's I had a little bit of buyer's remorse. I should have known that anything with "plaintains" in the ingredient list would be the best choice. But, there will be a next time :)

If you look carefully, you can see a plantain peeking out from under the eggs.

We shared home fries and fruit salad - I wasn't impressed with the home fries, they were a little soggy and didn't have a lot of flavor. The ones at Busboys and Poets are definitely better.

Melon.

Although I'll probably need a nap later, it's always exciting to feel so accomplished (and so contentedly full) before noon on a Sunday! Totally worth the early morning alarm.